There is a bug with the scouting opposition bit. It was set up to be my director of football and then mid season I replaced him. The news item still has the old director of football's name - "I have the report compiled by [OLD STAFF] as requested" - unless despite being sacked he keeps doing my scouting for me lol

I am brand new to FMT and whilst watching games my assistant manager is making tactical changes and substitutions during the match. How can I prevent him doing this if I'm actually wanting to manage the game myself and not instant result?
In responsibilities I am set to manage friendlies myself but can't see a corresponding option for normal league games

I am aware that in staff responsibilities there is the ability to set it so that your DoF offers players in your first team new contracts but is there anyway that I can instruct him to offer a specific player a new contract?

You do know that you can do this, right? .....
When you offer to player out, select the status that you want him to have and tick the lock symbol to make it non-negotiable. This way the only teams that will offer are those that can give the player that squad status, or greater.